The Columbus Soccer Organization announced this week that local soccer players Rylee Wilson and Rivers Holland have been awarded its annual CSO Collegiate Scholarship, supported by Financial Concepts.
The scholarship provides $500 scholarships to former CSO and Columbus United players, as well as funds that can be used for financial emergencies.
Wilson, a graduating senior at Hamilton, has played soccer with GSO and with the Columbus United squad from U9-U15. Holland, a graduating senior at New Hope, has played soccer with Columbus United since moving to Columbus from Baton Rouge, La., in 2021. Holland has also served as a referee for CSO from 2024-2025. Both Wilson and Holland intend on attending Mississippi State University.
“The scholarship is one more way that CSO supports the community,” CSO director Tom Velek said in a release. “In an age of franchised youth sports, it is important that independent organizations such as CSO make clear we support our players – on the field and after they are done paying registration fees.”
Holland said he plans on pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a focus on personal training. His dream is to be on the athletic staff of a professional soccer team. Along with his other scholarships, Holland said that $500 will help him make that dream come true.
“I was pretty excited about (getting the scholarship),” Holland told The Dispatch. “Obviously (soccer) has been a big part of my life, so it meant a lot that I got a scholarship from that.”
Wilson plans on taking the bio-chemistry route at MSU with eyes on heading to the medical field, potentially as a doctor specializing in orthopedics. It’s an expensive route, and Wilson said the scholarship definitely helps.
“Medical school is so expensive, so I’m so glad (to get the scholarship),” she said. “This is going to help me get my degree there so then I can come back hopefully one day and work in Columbus. I liked that I got it from Columbus Soccer Organization because I’ve been playing there for so many years and it meant a lot because it is a local scholarship, so I really appreciate that.”
The scholarship fund was established by donations made in honor of Marolyn Albertson, the grandmother of Columbus United coach Dave Albertson, to recognize and honor her and her family’s contributions to establishing and cultivating the sport in the Columbus area. Beginning in 2025.
Any CSO-registered player who played with the organization at the U15 age group or higher is eligible to apply for the award, and it can be put toward any educational, vocational or professional program after high school. For more information about CSO go to columbusmssoccer.org.
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